Portable power distribution unit for 400 hertz power

Abstract

A portable power distribution unit for safely distributing high wattage power supplied from mobile generators to lower power test adapter units and systems. Embodiments disclosed include a structurally rigid housing shaped to facilitate secure holding by an operator's foot, a 400 Hz power connector adapted for connection to a mobile power generator, a circuit breaker matched to the rating of the system to be powered and connections for conversion of the six-pin output from the mobile generator to a three or four-pin input for the system to be powered.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable power distribution unit for distributing 3-phase, 400 Hz power from high wattage generators to low power equipment, comprising:
 a structurally ridged housing having a step portion defining an area configured to receive and support the force of an operator's foot to firmly secure the housing against the ground or other support surface and a 400 Hz power connection receptacle portion defining an opening configured to receive a 400 Hz power connector therein; 
 a high wattage, 3-phase, 400 Hz, six-pin, male power connector mounted in the receptacle portion opening; 
 a low wattage power receptacle extending from the housing for connection to low power equipment; and 
 30 amp or lower circuit breaker disposed in said housing, said circuit breaker being electrically connected between said high wattage, 3-phase, 400 Hz power connector and said low wattage power receptacle. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein said low wattage power receptacle comprises a four-pin, 3-phase receptacle electrically connected through said circuit breaker to four pins of said six-pin male power connector, and two pins of said six-pin power connector are connected in an electrical loop within said housing. 
     
     
       3. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein said low wattage power receptacle comprises a three-pin receptacle electrically connected through said circuit breaker to three pins of said six-pin male power connector. 
     
     
       4. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle portion extends above said step portion and said receptacle portion defines an upwardly extending side wall providing a raised edge on an inner side of said step portion. 
     
     
       5. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein said low wattage receptacle is disposed on a cable extending from said housing. 
     
     
       6. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective rubber coating surrounding the structurally rigid housing. 
     
     
       7. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from one side of said housing. 
     
     
       8. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable connectable between the low power receptacle and the low power equipment. 
     
     
       9. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein said housing and low power receptacle together are configured to be contained within a space envelope approximately 8 inches wide and 10 inches deep. 
     
     
       10. A portable power distribution unit for distributing 3-phase, 400 Hz power from high wattage generators to equipment with low power requirements, comprising:
 a structurally ridged housing having a step portion defining an area configured to receive and support the force of an operator's foot to firmly secure the housing against the ground or other support surface and a 400 Hz power connection receptacle portion defining an opening configured to receive a 400 Hz power connector therein; 
 a high wattage, 3-phase, 400 Hz, six-pin, male power connector mounted in the receptacle portion opening, and wherein two of said six pins are connected in an electrical loop within said housing; 
 a 3-phase, four-line circuit breaker disposed in said housing, wherein each line of the circuit breaker is electrically connected to one pin of said 400 Hz power connector; and 
 a low wattage, four-line, power receptacle connected to said circuit breaker opposite said high wattage 400 Hz connector and extending from the housing for connection to low power equipment. 
 
     
     
       11. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 10 , wherein said receptacle portion extends above said step portion and said receptacle portion defines an upwardly extending side wall providing a raised edge on an inner side of said step portion. 
     
     
       12. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 10 , wherein said circuit breaker is rated at about 20-30 amps. 
     
     
       13. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 10 , wherein said circuit breaker is disposed within a circuit breaker housing within the structurally ridged housing. 
     
     
       14. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 13 , wherein said circuit breaker housing is integrated into the structurally ridged housing. 
     
     
       15. A portable power distribution unit for distributing 3-phase, 400 Hz power from high wattage generators to equipment with low power requirements, comprising:
 a structurally ridged housing having an upper surface with a lower step portion and an upper connection receptacle portion, wherein said lower step portion defines an area bounded by a raised edge on one side configured to receive and support the force of an operator's foot to firmly secure the housing against the ground or other support surface, and wherein the connection receptacle portion defines an opening configured to receive a 400 Hz power connector therein, said receptacle portion extending above said step portion with an upwardly extending side wall defining said raised edge on an inner side of said step portion; 
 a high wattage, 3-phase, 400 Hz, six-pin, male power connector mounted in the receptacle portion opening, and wherein two of said six pins are connected in an electrical loop within said housing; 
 a 3-phase, four-line, 20-30 amp circuit breaker disposed in said housing, wherein each line of the circuit breaker is electrically connected to one pin of said 400 Hz power connector, one said line being an unbroken ground connection line; and 
 a 3-phase, 20-30 amp rated power receptacle disposed on a cable extending from the structurally ridged housing connected to the four lines of said circuit breaker opposite said high wattage 400 Hz connector. 
 
     
     
       16. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 15 , wherein said circuit breaker is disposed within a circuit breaker housing within the structurally ridged housing. 
     
     
       17. The portable power distribution unit of  claim 16 , wherein said circuit breaker housing is integrated into the structurally ridged housing.